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08/09/2011
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So, I left off at the end of our first look in a previous post so I will continue with the next part. The Ceremony.
It was set to begin at 6:00 PM. Everything in the tent was pretty much set up and ready to go. Our wedding coordinator was AMAZING. She was yelling at everyone making sure everyone was where they were supposed to be and also that everything looked perfect at our Reception. I am SO glad I hired her, she came up with wedding day itinerarys for the Bridal Party and made sure everyone was on track, she helped set everything up at the Ceremony site and also everything else including Place Cards, Our toasting flutes, Menu's etc..She was able to gather everyone for pictures so that we were on time for the Ceremony. I know for a fact the day wouldn't have went as smoothly had it not been for her. I didn't have to worry about anything. The only minor mishap we had happened around 5:50pm. Briana (Our Coordinator) came up to me around 5:50 with a look of distress on her face, I asked her what was wrong and she didn't say anything. She said she had been trying to call our Officiant but that she hadn't heard from her(My Officiant had been lost the night before for Rehearsal) so this worried me a tiny bit. She had a previous review that she showed up late before. Thankfully, as soon as we talked about this she arrived, had I not had Brianna there making sure everything was okay I probably would have freaked out about this. How can you get married without an Officiant?? But all was well, I never informed her about the Ceremony time change so it was really my fault.
After she arrived it was time to start lining up to enter the Ceremony site. I could hear the Steel Drum band playing and as we were lining up I realized this was it, and I got nervous agian, butterflies in my stomach, shaking in the knees kinda nervous. I put my arm through my fathers and they told us to stop in front of the waterfall before we rounded the corner to walk down the aisle. We took a picture. And were on our way.
I could feel everyones eyes on me, and I gripped my dad's arm tighter. I felt like a little girl, when I seen Nick standing at the altar everything and everyone faded away, he had tears in his eyes. I felt like a princess walking on rose petals (such a great touch from my florist) and when I reached the altar I couldn't even understand what our Ofificant was saying. (I wonder if I'm the only one this happens too) but when it came time for my dad to give me away I kissed him on the cheek and took Nicks hands. When I looked into his eyes at that moment I could see my whole future, the boy I fell in love with when I was 14, the man I love today. As our officiant read through the Ceremony all I could think about was our wedding vows. I was so nervous to speak in front of everyone. (Not sure why, I do it for a living, but this was different. This was pouring my heart and soul out for everyone to hear). As she flipped through her book I seen the vow cards and my stomach started doing flips. She handed the card to Nick. He was shaking, he let go of my hand and started to read his vows..
'Laurie, Wow, I can't believe we are getting married. It seems so unreal, when I sit back and think about it I am the luckiest guy on earth to be marrying you. You have saved me in so many ways. I can't image my life without you. I want you to know you are the best mother any kid could ever ask for, you are so good to Nick and so good to me. Look, I could sit here and talk all day bit I think everyone would fall asleep so let me say this, Babe I love you and I am so happy to be sharing my life with you, and so happy to call you my wife.'
They were short, but perfect. I could tell they came from his heart. I started to cry midway through and could hear people sobbing in the background..
Then it was time to read mine.. I started crying before I could even get to the second sentance, I apologized to our guests and had to stop for a minute to get over the crying fit I was about to have..
Nick, When we first met I had no idea you would be the man I would spend the rest of my life with, after all we were just kids, I didn't know we'd be forever, I only knew you were right for that moment, so We took things as they came, We enjoyed the moment and didn't sweat the future, because who knew what could happen? I watched you grow into such a strong amazing person. You have always had such drive and passion and that passion and drive inspired me to dream big and taught me that nothing is impossible or out of reach with hard work and dedication. In you I see everything I wish to be. I love you more then shopping, cheesecake and even football. Our relationship is a lot like that, football. You know, when your team is down and it's not as easy to love them, sometimes you go to bed mad but when you wake up, you can't see yourself cheering for another team? Well..Even if we go to bed angry or mad I wake up in the morning and realize I can't see myself with anyone but you. I love that we are a constant reminder to each other not to take life to serious.I love that we can watch Disney movies together and laugh like little kids. I love how our love isn't perfect, but it's perfect for us. I am so excited to embark on this journey with you because where ever we are and whatever we do together I know it will be fun, exciting, slightly terrifying, full of sarcasm and love and will always turn out absolutely perfect for us. Even more than I love you I love us together. I didn't know that all those moments back then would add up to one of those forevers you hear about, the ones in fairtytales or in movies, the kind that sound too good to be true, until you realize you've got one. Today I promise to cherish you, love you, respect you, laugh with you, cry for you, support you in your goals, and love you faithfully through good times and bad, regardless of the obstacles we may face together. You are my absolute best friend and today I give you my hand, my heart and all my love for as long as I live.
our Offiicant stopped and said.. I could have read a few words of a piece of paper but I'm sure it would never have meant as much as having these two speak from their heart, you have witnessed true love today and something very special. In all the weddings I have done I have never heard vows as personal and beautiful as those we just heard.'
Everyone was crying at that point, even Nick. Then it was time for to exchange rings, we slipped our rings onto each others fingers, read our vows and I was so excited to hear those words.. 'I now pronuce you Husband and Wife, Ladies and Gentlemen let me introduce to you Mr. & Mrs. Laurie and Nicholas Scardina' I couldn't contain my excitement, I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him, but this time it was different, I felt like I was now bonded to him for life with that kiss and it was amazing. I was smiling from ear to ear as we made our way down the exit path.
We did a few pictures at the Ceremony site with family and friends and they first brought out our favorite drinks from the Reception tent, I got a malibu and pineapple juice and Nick got a dirty bong water(don't ask!) but they were delicious and so refreshing after sweating to death at the Ceremony! They also brought out trays of fruit, coconut shrimp and crab dip while we were waiting. Everything was DELICIOUS! I felt like a princess again.. Nick and I went off by ourselves with our photographer to do a few extra pictures and we had so much fun, it was so laid back and I was just so excited to be married. We kissed, laughed and played around. I felt totally naturual in front of the camera(much different then our engagement shoot)
after about a half hour it was time to be announced into the Reception!....
{Part 3- The Reception!}
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Thanks for the hair compliments, I really liked it too, the good thing about it was I felt like I had my hair down but it was still out of the way so it wasn't hanging on my back and I wasn't sweating to death, plus I thought it was perfect for the type of wedding I was having =) good luck to you and your planning!